Notre Dame lecturer receives grant from Mary Philippa Brazill Foundation

PRODUCING quality medical students is high on the list of priorities for University of Notre Dame lecturer Heidi Waldron.

It is a priority that will be made easier after Dr Waldron received a $6000 grant from the Mary Philippa Brazill Foundation, funding that will be used to create a number of videos to will teach medical students about effective communication skills.

She said communication was an essential skill for all doctors, with the videos presenting real-life scenarios such as end-of-life care, an incorrect diagnosis and patients with ongoing illnesses.

“A very important trend in health professional education is to recognise that graduates must be able to work effectively in clinical teams when caring for patients,” she said.

“Team members possessing the confidence to have difficult conversations is vitally important, particularly for avoiding adverse clinical events.

“Supporting our medical students to develop the necessary skills and confidence to communicate effectively will have a positive impact on their professional development as doctors and their ability to provide excellent care for patients.”